County non-seasonally adjusted unemployment rates for May 2011, released this past week, show that the rate decreased in 56 counties, increased in 24 counties, and stayed the same in 15 counties.

Lawrence County shows a slight dip from April, dropping from 13.1 to 12.9 percent. A year ago Lawrence County's unemployment rate for May was 13.7 percent.

Surrounding counties saw similar dips, Giles County dropped 11.4 to 11.3, Lewis 13.1 to 12.8 and Wayne 12.2 to 11.5.

Tennessee’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate for May was 9.7 percent, up slightly from the April rate of 9.6. The national unemployment rate for May 2011 was 9.1 percent, up from April’s 9.0 percent.

Lincoln County registered the state's lowest county unemployment rate at 6.1 percent, down from the April rate of 6.6 percent, followed by Williamson County at 6.6 percent, down from 7.0 percent.

Scott County had the state’s highest unemployment rate at 20.8 percent, down from 22.1 percent in the previous month, followed by Lauderdale County at 14.8 percent, unchanged from the April rate.

Knox County had the state’s lowest major metropolitan rate of 7.4 percent, down from 7.7 percent in April. Hamilton County was 8.2 percent, unchanged from the previous month. 

Davidson County was 8.6 percent, down from 8.8 percent in April, and Shelby County was 10.0 percent, unchanged from their April unemployment rate.